Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Direction in Math

Recently we've been focusing on giving and following directions in math. I must say, that the kids LOVE when we do direction.

We started with a little bit of review with following simple directions (left, right, up, down). With this worksheet, students had to follow the directions given for each trick-or-treater. Some students just used their fingers to follow the directions and mark where they ended up, others drew lines, dots or arrows to help them keep track.

Mostly however, we've been focusing on moving beyond these types of directions to using 1/4 and 1/2 turns to the left and right and moving forward. I've been asked at least 10 times a day to play a little game using these directions. You've probably played it before. Basically the whole class stands up and faces a certain wall and you call our directions one at a time (e.g. 1/4 turn to the right, 1/2 turn etc). Everyone who doesn't face the correct direction each time sits down. It's fast paced and fun. So simple, but they just love it!

We have used the Giving Directions sheet from my Halloween Math Pack a number of times. They used the worksheet as is, so they had to write directions for the trick-or-treater to pick up as much candy as she could. They used teddy counters to help with identifying the 1/4 and 1/2 turns. The next day, I used the same worksheet but drew pictures on the board (I wasn't planning to take a photo when I drew them, so they aren't the best!). Each student wrote directions in their math journals, paired up and used their counters to follow each others directions (kiddo 1 read their directions while kiddo 2 followed them with the teddy counter, then swapped). This worked a treat because they were able to identify missing steps. Oh, and the teddy couldn't go over any piece of candy, it had to go around (meaning lots of turns!).

Finally, I used the same sheet AGAIN (have I mentioned that we don't get a lot of photocopies at my school???) but this time they chose their own beginning and ending piece of candy, wrote directions for their partner, read them out and checked if their partner was able to finish in the same space. They also started with their teddy in the same space and shielded their grid from each other. They took it in turns to give directions (which they both followed, so student 1 might say 1/4 turn left and move forward 3 and they would both move their teddy. Student 2 would give a direction and they'd both follow etc) and checked after 5 directions each if they ended up in the same space.

I just have to tell you Kylie how lovely it was to be in the photocopy room the other day and another teacher was slicing up some laminating, I had a sneak peak and it had your copyright on it - I just felt so happy for you! I have been trying to promote Teacherspayteachers at school so it is working!

I'm having a little giggle, that is so cool! (big smiles!!). I'm hearing from more and more Aussie teachers who have found TpT, so I guess word is getting out! I also try to promote it at my school, but since I have a *secret identity*, I do what I can without letting it out of the bag!

Licences

Awards

Design Credits

Ideas by Down Under Teacher. All Rights Reserved. All pictures and posts belong to Down Under Teacher unless a specific link has been provided to another blog or website. This blog is protected by copyright. Please do not copy or claim as your own any content on this blog.